New House member Joseph de Soto was arrested by state police in Berkeley County early Thursday morning on allegations that he threatened to harm other lawmakers.
According to a criminal complaint, de Soto said, “God called him to kill her.” He listed several lawmakers, including House Speaker Roger Hanshaw.
According to a news release, West Virginia State Police said troopers arrested de Soto “for the crime of making terroristic threats.”
“This arrest followed an investigation which revealed that Mr. Desoto had made several threatening/intimidating threats against government officials. “This investigation is ongoing,” the statement said. “The West Virginia State Police and West Virginia Capitol Police take all threats to government proceedings seriously.”
De Soto, a Gerrardstown native, won a three-candidate Republican primary race last spring, defeating incumbent Don Forsht, R-Berkeley, in the 91st District. There was no Democratic candidate in the November general election, but he faced competition from a Constitution Party candidate.
He is scheduled to begin his term in parliament in January 2025. On Wednesday, de Soto, who ran as a Republican, switched to the Democratic Party. He was listed as a Democrat on the Secretary of State’s website Thursday morning.
Ahead of the threats, House Republicans have raised concerns about whether de Soto was truthful about his military career or whether he was actually a doctor. DragLine, a publication of the ACLU-WV, detail the inaccuracies in de Soto’s statements in an article published earlier this year.
On Sunday, Republican House members gathered for closed-door sessions Appointment of the current Speaker of the House of Representatives To remain in office, several people said the meeting was used primarily to question de Soto about his background and whether it should lead to possible disqualification from holding office in the House. Armed Capitol Police officers guarded the doors during the private meeting.
According to a criminal complaint, de Soto said Sunday’s meeting upset him. The complaint said a Dec. 10 email from de Soto said, “They play stupid games, they get stupid awards… I’ve just begun… and I’m not going to stop.” I had a vision of her to destroy the angel of Moroni.”
Del. Wayne Clark, R-Jefferson, said everything came to a head Wednesday afternoon. House Speaker Roger Hanshaw’s office called to alert Clark to a solemn threat.
Clark was worried because his teenage daughters were home alone.
“I told the children to leave the house,” he said. “My family suffered last night… There’s a chance this guy could get out today. Now what?”
Clark said de Soto’s mental health is a concern and hopes he gets assist.
“But that can’t happen. “I’m not the only one who suffered last night,” he said.
Del. Michael Hornby, R-Berkeley, said in a now-deleted social media post that he was also the target of a threat. He was contacted by a representative of the House of Representatives.
He wrote: “I received a call to move my family immediately as I drove through a snowstorm more than an hour from home. It’s been a rollercoaster of a day, but I want to thank the State Police, Capitol Police and the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department for their clear communication and guidance in crisis communications.”
The House of Representatives will convene a one-day session on January 8, 2025 to elect the leaders of each chamber. The Legislature will reconvene in February 2025 to begin the regular session.
De Soto has not yet been sworn in. If he resigns, the Democratic Party will be able to name a replacement because of his party change.
Mike Pushkin, chairman of the state Democratic Party, said the allegations against de Soto were “deeply serious and should be treated to the fullest extent of the law.”
“Our thoughts are primarily with the delegates and their families who were affected
about these alleged threats. No one – especially those working in public service – should ever do this
“Must fear for their safety or that of their loved ones,” Pushkin wrote. “We will continue to support efforts to ensure the safety of those who work to serve the people of West Virginia.”
West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Matt Herridge said the party supports House leadership and their expel efforts.
“We are aware of these and other serious facts and allegations, as well as the steps the House GOP Caucus has taken toward expulsion. “Our elected officials sacrifice much to serve their communities, and it is a travesty for anyone to be subjected to the additional burden of threats against themselves and their families,” Herridge said. “We disavow and condemn the former Republican representative’s behavior and thank all those who are willing to serve their communities and their state, despite the challenges it all too often presents.”
